This last weekend I turned 34. Amidst vacationing on the beach, reading some great books and contemplating future hip replacements, I also kept in touch with potential clients via my phone.
They’d write me and I’d respond with ultra-classy emails such as: “I’m sorry for the short response, but I’m away on vacation until Sunday. I’d be more than happy to discuss your project with you when I return. Until then!”
One for one, without variance, each and every person wrote back and said something along the lines of “Thanks for the prompt reply! And on vacation no less! Enjoy your birthday.”
And one for one those potential clients each became actual clients. Now, only 3 hours into Monday, I’ve got $3400 worth of work lined up for next week. So far. No, that’s not a lot but it’s also not bad for a business that started in late 2007.
I don’t report on my finances much publicly. In fact, that’s the first time I’ve ever done it because people get weird when money is mentioned. They laugh in your face, or start sending you Costco palettes of Top Ramen, or get viciously jealous and steal the hood ornament off your Jag.
But that’s not the point. It’s not about the money. It’s about how you make money and how you live your life and why those two fit together in an inseparable fashion.
How did I win these clients? All I did was communicate. That’s it. It wasn’t even good communication. Not overly happy, not overly polite, not really even business-like. Just fast little emails that I wrote on my phone while squinting through the sun.
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
Communication.
Are you sensing a theme yet?
Communication works. It makes you money. It brings and keeps people together. It’s the only thing that really solves problems.
Ask yourself this question:
Am I communicating as I should be?
If the answer is yes, go get yourself a filet mignon and celebrate with some friends.
If the answer is no, go get a cheeseburger and find a park bench. Sit there and think over how to improve the communication lines of your business and personal life.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
Our world moves very very fast now. Despite the technology that should only improve it, communication in life and business are suffering. So much so that good communication is no longer the rule, it’s the exception.
Placed right and on the proper channels, about 15 seconds of simple communication on your part can make a big big difference.
10 Comments
Charlie,
I wanted to be immortal so I am commenting!
You hit on a great point which is actually responding and doing so in a timely matter. I cannot stand sending e-mail to people or making calls and not hearing at least something back within a week (OK, it’s actually hours but I do live on the computer).
A simple response is always appreciated1
James -
I was debating NOT responding to your comment just to be ironic. Then I realized that nobody would get it and I’d be the only one laughing.
You’re comment is right on the money and I agree with your timeline. In a professional capacity I think 48 hours is about tops. Any more than that and I can’t help thinking there’s something sketchy going on.
Oh…and since you’re the first commenter, you won yourself a star on the sidewalk. I’ll need you to come put your hands in the quickly hardening concrete later.
Charlie,
This is not just my personal obsession, but my total pet peeve in others, too. Why didn’t I write this?
Oh, because I didn’t make 3400 bucks on a beach last week. And I did not turn 34.
Happy Birthday.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly -
Thanks! It was a great vacation and some much needed respite from this damn computer widget machine thingie.
I can tell by your comment streams that you’re a great communicator; it really does show, and I’m sure we’d get along just fine in life.
Oh…and I hereby give you permission to go to the beach, sit on your duff and make $3,400.
Charlie,
When I turn 4-0 next year (ouch!) can I sit on a beach and make $4,000?
It was not making it enough of a respite, that got you the new clients. The marvels of a hyperconnected world!
Later,
Kelly
Who’s Maria? And why is she a problem?
Rockin’ article – and glad you focused on how important it is to send that little ping.
People HATE waiting and feeling ignored.
People don’t mind waiting, however, if they’ve at least been acknowledged. Gives us closure & certainty.
Enjoy the big 3-4. About to do the big 3-2 myself … now you have me thinking, how do I pump June up to a $3,200 month?
Dave -
People do indeed hate feeling ignored, so I hope your life isn’t destroyed because I let your comment languish here alone all day. Of course, I know it’s not. You’re doing quite well without my input on…well…anything.
Happy 32 when it comes! As to your plans for the $3,200 month all I can say is:
1. Keep doing what you’re doing. I’ve had my eye on you and I’d trust you with all sorts of projects. And I’m not a particularly trusting guy.
2. Say what you do and say it loud!
3. Good luck! I know you’ll make it happen. Stop by and let me know or drop me an email.
Thanks, Dave. Good to see you here again.
Thanks, man – that means a lot. And pffft! about comment languishing – it’s your blog, answer at your own pace. You do have a life to live
You’ll see more of me … finally getting around to adding more feeds to my reader.
LOL! I guess I missed the concrete. Oh well, maybe next time.
48 hours is a great rule of thumb to respond. Usually I respond to inquiries in less than 24 hours (because I am pathetically tied to my computer with an umbilical cord)and it always amazes people – so much in that I have earned several projects because of it as well.
I’m getting ready to go celebrate my 17th anniversary with my wife this weekend and I was struggling on whether I should severe the cord and leave the laptop…but now with this post I guess I will have to keep it in case I get the opportunity to achieve the same outcome.
And sorry for not saying Happy Birthday, so Happy Birthday!